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Money Mic: Why I Chose to Become a Mom at Age 44

In our LV Moms Money Mic series, we hand over the podium to someone with a strong opinion about family and money. These are their views, not ours, but we welcome your responses.

Today, Mimi Plevin-Foust discusses why she decided to wait until her 40s to have children–and how it allowed her to “have it all” without giving up either work success or family life.

I’ll never forget the day I saw those two thin red lines appear on the pregnancy test. A year of supplements, herbs, acupuncture, dietary changes, medical tests and wacky Chinese fertility exercises (along with the ovulatory stimulant Clomid), had actually worked: If all went well, I would become a mother at 44.

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Were we crazy to start a family at the combined age of 99? My child would enter kindergarten when I was 49, the same age as my mother the day she and my dad walked me down the aisle at my wedding.

On top of that, both Bill and I were used to eating dinner when we felt like it, going to the movies any evening we chose and working till late at night when deadlines or inspiration struck (I was a documentary filmmaker, and Bill was an artist and art teacher).

So … why now?

Why I’m Glad We Waited

People may think it’s extreme that I didn’t want to become a mother until I was 44, but I’m glad we waited. Having a child was a long-delayed dream of mine. Before I got pregnant, I had spent the last ten years producing and promoting two films about long-term AIDS survivors, as well as helping to produce other documentaries. My films were the main reason I put off parenting. Completing them took so much time and effort that I could not have been a good parent as well.

In my late 30s, we lost an unplanned but wanted pregnancy, which left a terrible pang in my heart whenever I saw a cute baby. Though we researched adoption, I decided that when the time was right, I would try to have a biological child before it was too late, and keep adoption as a back-up plan.

We didn’t try again immediately. I was still working on finishing my film at that point, and having a miscarriage left me emotionally unprepared to start trying again right away.

And, financially, having a child later in life, I reasoned, would allow me to build my earning potential more than if I took time off when I was younger (of course, I also ran the risk of increased costs in the event I needed fertility treatments). As a self-employed video producer, maybe I should have worried about expenses after the baby was born, since I had no paid maternity leave. However, we had been saving money; my husband had several part-time teaching jobs both before and after we became parents, and we were renting a reasonably-priced first floor of a house outside New York City.

In terms of my career, by my early 40s I was more than ready to take a break from documentaries. It was time to experience the long-imagined rewards of parenting.

For my husband’s part, Bill was content to not be a parent, but he supported my decision fully. And, of course, he fell in love with being a dad the moment he became one.

The Long Path to Pregnancy

As a healthy, lifelong vegetarian, I was sure I would get pregnant quickly. Boy, was I naïve. I didn’t even know that women’s eggs are formed when we are in utero, and that they age along with the rest of us.

I was 42 when I started trying to have kids again, and the year I spent trying to get pregnant was hectic. I began with prenatal vitamins, and researched all I could. Luckily, the health food, herbs and acupuncture were not expensive, and my insurance covered medical tests. We didn’t want to go into debt for IVF.

My understanding was that at that time, IVF alone would have cost us around $10,000 per try. However, because of my age, our doctors suggested that we go the donor egg route right off the bat, which would have been more around $21,000. Since my husband and I both work in the arts, we knew there was no way we could afford that.

The biggest investment was time and effort–getting pregnant was my major project outside of paid work. We tried for a period of a year before it worked. I tried a few things here and there through the first 11 months—seeing the gynecologist regularly, getting a Hysterosalpingogram (where dye is inserted into your fallopian tubes to make sure they’re working properly)—but it wasn’t until the final month, when I actually did get pregnant, that I started using Clomid and having regular ultrasounds. After those two thin red lines on the pregnancy test 12 months later, it was all worth it. Getting this far without IVF was beating the odds big time. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed.

Of course I knew that our child would have a higher risk of things like Down syndrome because of my age, but when you actually look at the statistics, the chances of that actually happening are so slim. Plus, we knew we’d be testing all along, and we’d make a decision if it came to that. Those “risks” weren’t going to hold us back.

I’m happy to report I had a mostly perfect pregnancy. The only truly scary thing was that twice I had breakthrough bleeding (especially scary after our previous miscarriage). We did an ultrasound both times, and thankfully, the baby was fine. I worked with a wonderful team of midwives all the way through, and I avoided taking on any big projects and just did office temp work while I was pregnant so I could be free to go to ultrasounds, childbirth classes, etc.

Then, after five days of labor and a 42-week pregnancy, at last we met our daughter, Katy. She was the prettiest, most perfect, deeply pink baby we had ever seen, with slim lovely limbs and dark hair growing in whorls over her temples and forehead.

It was a miracle, and it didn’t matter that every other parent on earth had shared the same identical miracle as we had. After 20 years as a couple, our new lives as parents had finally begun.

What I’ve Learned

There are so many things I’ve learned, and been humbled by, in the action-packed ten years since Katy was born. Overall, we’ve never received any negative reactions from people to our being “later-in-life” parents (other than the few times we’ve been mistaken as Katy’s grandparents …).

On the financial side, we were not necessarily the greatest financial planners. We’re more of a “go-with-the-flow”-type couple. We didn’t save up a certain amount before we had our daughter, or overthink our financial situation. If I waited until we were totally financially prepared, I would have been 90!

Having a baby at our ages probably did affect our finances, especially since I didn’t work for a couple of years after, but as someone who’s been in the arts, my way of earning money has always been to work for a few years, save up some money, then take time off to write, or make a film. This is something I was used to. We also have my parents to thank—they helped us out with a financial gift afterward, as well.

How Having a Baby Changed Our Lives

In terms of having a baby when we did, here are three practical insights that stand out:

It forced us to grow up. Of course we thought about the fact that, as older parents, there was a higher likelihood of our daughter needing outside help if something were to happen to us. However, both Bill’s and my parents were healthy, and long-lived. We were acutely aware, however, of the paperwork that was essential for us to set up. We now have life insurance policies, updated wills, a trust, living wills, health care power of attorneys, durable power of attorneys and a slowly growing 529 plan to help pay for college. (If you need help figuring out which life insurance policy is for you, read more about that here. For picking a guardian for your child, read this, and for all things 529-related, check this out.)

After waiting so long to become a mom, it’s difficult to make myself do work I don’t completely love, even though I need to contribute income.With the help of Bill’s several jobs, our savings and a gift from my parents, I was lucky enough to stay home with Katy for two years and ease back into work. This past year, I co-developed a workshop that helps others figure out how to make money from what they love to do. Coaching people though the process of finding their passionate work has been exciting and inspiring.

Thank goodness for grandparents! When Katy was 18 months old, Bill and I moved back to Cleveland and bought a house near my parents and my sister’s family. Cleveland home values are remarkable; we live in a beautiful, diverse, family-friendly town with great schools, and it is terrific to bring up my daughter so close to extended family who not only help out, but also care about her well-being as much as I do.

Being a mother is so much more challenging than I ever expected, even with my husband and family’s active help. It’s not a project for the faint-hearted.

Yet, I’m still glad I waited, giving myself the time to accomplish big goals. I haven’t had to give up or defer my dreams. I still get to go out to the movies, have a date night with Bill and write late into the night if I choose.

All the while, I can marvel at the brains and beauty and wit of the child I brought into this world and look forward to witnessing the unique life she creates in the decades ahead.

Great story! We’ve talked about waiting until we’re 30-35 to have kids. While that’s not 44, people still look at us like we’re insane.

Mimi

Hi, Michelle – If you wait a bit, then you have more time to enjoy life as a couple, learn about each other, travel, etc. You’ll have more to bring to being a parent when you do make that choice. Thanks for responding.

http://www.seekingself.com/ Kathy A.

For the medical profession they seem to think that any risk is bad and should be avoided at all costs. For instance, I was 29 when I had my first child and a doctor I saw for the genetic screening made a comment about something “at my age!” I was slightly upset for a moment then remembered that at my age I was completely comfortable and ready to have a baby.

Our culture would also lead us to believe that if you don’t follow the current mold of finish school, get married, have children within a span of about 5 years there is something wrong with you. It’s almost like the critics don’t think its even a choice, your choice.

Which is what this discussion is all about. It is YOUR choice for what happens to you and when for your own reasons. Please no one else but yourself (and maybe your husband)!

Mimi

Now that I’ve become a parent, it’s even clearer to me how right you are about that, Kathy, because it takes so much energy, time and attention to be a good parent and it’s so much easier to do all that when you’ve made the choice consciously.

Cjfogh

I had my first child at 26, second and 29 and I am now expecting my third at 32. I had a hard time getting pregnant with the first which took almost 2 years. I thought in my twenties it would be as easy as knowing when I was ovulating which didn’t turn out to be the case. All the pregnancies have been high risk so overall I am happy with my decision to have kids younger. Majority of my mommy friends though are in their 40′s and some in their 50′s and they are great. Too each their own.

http://takechargebuildwealth.com/events Mimi

Even though I waited, there is definitely a lot to be said for having a child when you’re younger as well. You get to enjoy your child while you’re younger and can look forward to a longer time of enjoying their friendship when they’re adults.

Kari Ward

While I think my child has benefited from having an older mother (I was 39 when I conceived), articles like this concern me be- cause it sends the message that women can just wait and have a baby whenever they want. And that’s simply not the truth. Fertility starts declining at age 35. Having a child in your late thirties and forties is not sure thing.

http://takechargebuildwealth.com/events Mimi

You’re right, Kari – Partly, we delayed out of ignorance about fertility; partly, because I knew I would be happy to adopt if having a birth child proved impossible.

Beverly

Thanks for this post. I’m 43, and my husband is 51. We’d love to have a baby, but our ages hold us back. This gives me a lot to consider!

http://profile.yahoo.com/IXAB6YZHW65YOILIKAQIWCLSFQ Marguerite

When I got married at 19, and got pregnant only a month later, that was certainly not what I had planned; then 17 months later a second child came along; also unplanned. Finally I was able o plan the 3rd 4 years later. Although things were tough, and I was really tired after the first 2; I soon recovered and have trurly enjoyed my children. Now enjoying my 2 grandchildren and still have energy for them. Had things gone as planned, who’s to say how many I would have had and when?

http://takechargebuildwealth.com/events Mimi

I have friends who have done just as you have and they get to enjoy the achievements of their grown children and the pleasure of grandchildren – thanks for sharing that.

Sarah_76

That’s just it Marguerite. Thank you for your post. LIfe doesn’t go as planned. Myself I am a ….hmmm “mid aged mom?” I had my first at 30 and my last at 35. It wasn’t in my plan to have my children in my 30s. I was so determined to have my children early because it was all I knew. I’ve met so many amazing super young moms through my work and so many amazing mature moms through my work. I love them all. I know that their children will one day come to the realization (like we all do) that their life is not perfect and neither is their mother. I aim to teach my children that a positive attitude, hard work, positive relationships and ability to surrender to the messiness of life is a good recipe for an abundant life. After all, that’s what we all have in common: we want our children to have an abundant life.

http://takechargebuildwealth.com/events Mimi

Beverly – If you do decide to become a parent, my only advice is start soon!

Sarah_76

Thank you for sharing your opinions about having a baby later in life. This is such an emotionally provocative topic as it uncovers our most tender feeling towards our precious babies. I’ve always felt blessed to have had parents who had their babies in their 20s. Due to a failed relationship in my 20s I wasn’t able to have children until I hit 30. Do I have any regrets? How can I? I’m married to an amazing man. I have three amazing children. I am also so grateful that our first child was a honeymoon baby. If I would have met my husband in my 20s then there is no question that I would have had my babies in my 20s. I also love my career and think that the challenging juggle between family and work would have been no different at 20 as it was at 30 or what you described it as at 40. If my children ask my opinion, I will share that I feel that it’s important to wait until you have a loving partner that know would make a terrific parent. After that, go for it! My only regret is that I tried to control my life into my own perfect timeline. Life is wonderfully messy and there are no guarantees.

http://takechargebuildwealth.com/events Mimi

These decisions are so complex, aren’t they? That last line of your comment is so full of wisdom – thanks for sharing this.

alice1972

I was 38 and my husband was 52 when our daughter was born. We (she and I) are his “do over” family, he has older adult children, but she is my only child. I am nearly 41 now and he recently turned 54 but we haven’t given up on the idea of adding a sibling. We are both healthy and relatively financially comfortable. When I think about it, I am sure that since we don’t have forever to decide about another that we are still plenty young enough and strong enough to do this again. We are older and wiser and our child or children will certainly benefit from being planned and truly wanted. I say if you are already in your late 30′s ladies don’t wait too long and not because of your energy level but because it just gets harder to get pregnant when you get older. Just my 2 cents.

Mari

I’m 44 now and closing in on 45.; he’s also in his 40s. I have a 2-year-old grandson and together, our blended family includes kids ranging from 9-27. My youngest is 16. We have fantastic kids and we know we’re lucky, but both of us would love to have one together. Parenthood is something we do and have done well. We know what we’re in for.
Before my fist husband passed away, I’d joke that all he had to do was sneezed in my direction and I’d get pregnant. Now, things are different. Although I ovulate every month, it’s just not happening. I had a very, very early miscarriage when I was 42, and dealt with a horrible ob who said “well, at your age, what did you expect?” and scoffed when I asked about taking progesterone “next time.” I never felt old until then.

We not-so-secretly fear that was our only shot unless we go the reproductive technology route, which we’ve decided not to do. At least not IVF, IUI, or donor eggs. Adoption is an option, but we understand it’s usually long road before a match is made.
Your article gives me renewed optimism, and makes me think I should look into clomid more before dismissing it outright. Thank you!

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